Qualities demanded of a field-marshal…

A weighty, donkey-brown tome of 734 pages, bearing the title The Woman’s Book: Contains Everything a Woman Ought to Know is held in the reference section of the Matakohe Kauri Museum’s library. It is a compendium of advice and information, submitted by “expert contributors” and edited by Florence Jack and Rita Strauss.

The 1911, London and Edinburgh publication, comprises 34 chapters. The subject matter covers the usual domestic topics but also extends to such topics as civil service, philanthropy, recreation, bee-keeping, advice on sanitary regulations, infectious diseases, signing a contract, laying linoleum, women’s careers, and where to undertake Colonial Housekeeping courses for those wishing to emigrate.

I admit, I was anticipating reading lengthy lectures dictating how women should subordinate themselves to their husbands. I was disappointed. The book fails to even comment upon marital affairs or the gender power balance of spousal relationships. It is, in fact, a practical, comprehensive collection of information aimed at encouraging and assisting women to perform a wide range of tasks diligently. The editors liken the breadth of knowledge and skills required to run a household and servants, as similar to “the qualities demanded of a field-marshal”. It strongly advocates for an expansion of opportunities for women.

Certainly the book focuses a lot on domestic matters. But, in truth, this was the realm allotted to women at that time. It was only 29 years since British women were allowed to retain and manage their own property, wages, income and finances, independent of their husbands. They still did not have the right to vote and were barred from entering Parliament. While they had been able to attend Cambridge University since 1896, the university did not confer degrees on women until 1948.

Chapters on money management, banking, and ‘Women in Business’ provide solid advice on a subject women had, generally, been excluded from. But in this delightful book, they sit happily alongside suggestions on how to combat feather-eating in parrots, prepare and administer nutritional enemas, clean furs, and how long the period of mourning should last for a nephew.

Praise for the Patent “Sunrise” washing machine sits alongside information on the use and maintenance of a mangle and wringer.

On page 697, the last word is given in strong support of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. “Women, like men, have the desire to expand their realm of intelligence, to take part in the affairs of the world, which bear upon our lives, and the restraint and force of mere tradition, prejudice, or caste, have become intolerable to them. Women want freer lives because they want freer development; they want more capable minds and increased capacities for grappling with the increasing difficulties of modern civilisation.” A good read.

Members of the public are welcome to view all reference books at the Kauri Museum during opening hours. We are also looking for volunteers to help operate our library. If you are interested, please contact Marion Walsh, volunteer coordinator on 021 823 944 or email marion.walsh@ kaurimuseum.com

Ph Pat 022-646-5849

MATAKANA HALL COMMITTEE

Agm

Monday, 11 September, 6pm. All welcome.

Supported by Mahurangi Matters

WOMEN'S CENTRE RODNEY

Agm

Held at the Women's Centre Rodney 10 Morpeth Street, Warkworth, on Monday 28 August 2023 4-5.30pm

Please email to register attendance and for a copy of the Agenda. info@womenscentrerodney.org.nz

We look forward to welcoming you.

Supported by Mahurangi Matters

VACANT TAKATU LANDCARE (TLC)

SITUATIONS

Looking to work locally, meet your neighbours, TLC is looking to recruit two people with good communication and creative writing skills and a passion for conservation to assist with our engagement with landowners and community groups involved with animal and plant pest control and ecological restoration activities on the Tāwharanui Peninsula. The two positions we are looking to fill are;

• Community Coordinator

• Communications & Media Coordinator

Working autonomously, both positions are 10-month part time contracts requiring a work commitment of 16 hours’, and 4 hours’, per week respectively and provide crucial support for TLC’s operations. The hourly rate will depend on experience.

If interested and would like to hear more about what the entail, please contact John McIntyre at takatulandcare.chairperson@ gmail.com or mobile: 027 338 2898 for a confidential chat. Applications for the positions close by 22nd August 2023.

WANTED TO BUY

The deadline for classified advertising for our August 28 paper is August 23. Send classified advertising enquiries to design@localmatters.co.nz